SWCP: Newquay to Perranporth

 Today was quite easy, not much ascent. Set off at 9 and was there before 3. Passed a succession of stunning, pristine, absolutely massive beaches. Some of them had hazy mist coming off the crashing waves with the sun lighting it up - reminded me of the beach in South Africa. 

There were quite a few other walkers today.Highlight if the day was watching a huge, fat seal swim to shore and then laboriously flop up West Pentire beach 😀

Leaving Newquay

Crossing the river Gannel - luckily it was low tide. Followed footprints, Crusoe-like, to re-find the path.

Saw a girl fall into a puddle up to the top of her legs. Her boyfriend struggled to pull her out. Her trousers were covered in wet sand. Yikes.

The final bit of the path up to Perranporth was over sand dunes. Loads of paragliders looping and soaring gracefully around the dunes. Too tiring, so I walked along the beach instead, barefoot. The light was beautiful and the beach was so huge that I was walking alone. Great way to finish.  As I came up to the town beach, the RNLI drove along with their loudspeaker to say that there was a strong spring tide coming in and the beach would be underwater in about 20 minutes.

I went and had a shower in my Airbnb and then went and sat with a coffee in the Alcatraz cafe, overlooking the beach. Watched the tide come in. Lots of people trying to make it across from one bit of beach to the next. A lot of them ended up with wet shorts.

Will have to get up early tomorrow to try and get to Portreath in time for a 2.40, two-bus journey back to Newquay.